Dwarf Hairgrass and Catfish?

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xRage10

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 29, 2010
221
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Lake Mary, Florida
I'm turning my 55 gallon aquarium into a planted aquarium, and I want to try some dwarf hairgrass and let it cover the bottom. However, one of the fish I want to be adding to this aquarium is about three porthole catfish. Will the portholes be ok with the dwarf hairgrass? Any specific precautions I should take?
 
I have x2 250w metal halides, and x4 54w natural daylight t5's for lighting, so I'm plenty sure that I am okay in that regard. I also plan on getting a pressurized Co2 kit within the coming month. I'm not jumping into adding the plants. I'm getting what's necessary to keep them before I go off and get them.

I would still appreciate it if I could get my question answered, though. I've heard they're omnivores, but I've also heard that they like well planted to heavy planted aquariums. Thus, I'd just like to know if they can coexist with the hairgrass before I go off and get it.
 
The porthole catfish will not arm your dhg. If you keep them happy with sinking pellets, algae wafers and/or frozen food they won't even look twice at your grass.

My dhg did well under 4 t5's without co2. Grew slow but still put out runners. Once I added cO2 they went wild. When you get your dhg be aware that they are often grown out of water. There will be a small adapting phase. You can speed it up a few ways. Make sure you have a good substrate. Break up they bunch into small groups (10 leaf bunch) and plant about an inch apart in a checkerboard pattern. Lastly trim the leaves down till only an inch and a half remains. Fertilize the water as needed/recommended.
 
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